News Archive

Archive for 2013

Travel anytime in January 2014 and enjoy 2013 prices

If you need coach hire early in the new year why not make the most of The Kings Ferry's New Year offer. A New Year's trip at last years prices.

We are freezing our current prices until the end of January 2014, so get your trip booked early as its subject to availability. With an impressive fleet of over 65 vehicles ranging from 19 to 77 seats, including executive and VIP vehicles we are sure to meet your requirements whatever they are.

The Kings Ferry has won Coach Operator of the Year on many occasions and provide our customers with the attention and customer service they deserve. Friendly, courtious and CRB checked intensively trained drivers will accompany you on your journey.

If you would like to talk to one of our friendly reservations team please call:

Book coach hire for 1 School Trip and we'll provide the coach hire for a second trip ABSOLUTELY FREE!

If you're looking to plan a number of school trips in 2014 then you will need reliable transport from a trusted provider. The Kings Ferry has been providing transport for schools for many years and as an award-winning operator we will make sure that your trip really hits the mark.

If you would like to view testimonials from our school customers then please click here.

We work closely with a number local attractions including Cheddar Gorge, ss Great Britain, Wookey Hole and At-Bristol Science Centre. In some cases we can provide you with recuced rates to those attractions if you book your trip and venue through The Kings Ferry.

Call 0117 922 9005 today to talk to one of our friendly reservations team or get a quick quote online.

Book coach hire for a school trip travelling between 11/12/2013 and 28/2/2014 and The Kings Ferry will give you the coach hire for a second school trip absolutely free if the second hire is before 25/7/2014. Please note all hires must fit with The Kings Ferry’s set ‘in between’ coach hire criteria (Please see below). To qualify for this promotional offer two school trips must be confirmed at point of booking. Please note this is an introductory offer and as such is only applicable to a school’s first booking with The Kings Ferry. Please note that all vehicles are subject to availability.

Win your coach hire booking to your festive celebration or corporate event courtesy of Connections Coach Hire. All you have to do is submit your trip details via the online form, your request will be entered into a prize draw for one lucky winner to receive their coach booking completely FREE!

The Kings Ferry driver Steve King suddenly feels a lot lighter and colder after having his head shaved for charity. Steve has been campaigning over the last few weeks and months to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

At the time of the 'BIG SHAVE' he had raised £430.02 but the donation page is still open so if you would like to donate then visit his page @ JustGiving.

At some time or another, everybody is affected in some way by cancer and one of the reasons I'm doing this is in remembrance of some friends, colleagues and team mates who have lost their lives to cancer, as well as pay tribute to those who are either currently doing battle against the "big C" or have previously had a close shave (no pun intended!) with cancer and have been lucky enough to come out the other side.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Coach hire you can rely on.... at greatly reduced prices.

The Kings Ferry has an impressive reputation for providing the very best coach hire in London and the South East. You might think that such high quality service, brand new-vehicles and intensively trained drivers we would demand a premium...but it doesn't, and during November 2013 our rates will be even more value for money at 20% off*. This is applicable to any hire travelling in the month November.

Call 0845 257 9905 today to talk to one of our friendly reservations team or get a quick quote online.

The 20% discount is only applicable to coach hire bookings made on or after 11/11/2013 and before 1/12/2013 for travel in the month of November 2013. The Discount will not be applied retrospectively to bookings made before 11/11/2013. Only applicable to non contracted coach hire customers. Not be used in conjunction with another discounted coach hire offer.

Come celebrate with us and travel in style!

Book your Christmas party travel with The Kings Ferry, and receive a £20 Amazon.com voucher! Merry Christmas

Let The Kings Ferry take care of your Christmas Party travel this year. Our modern fleet ranges from 16 to 77 seats, from standard and executive coaches all the way to luxury VIPs, so there is sure to be one to suit your requirements...all you will need to do is choose your venue.

Speak to one of our friendly reservations team to find out more.

You will need to quote 'PARTY KING' before booking to claim your £20 Amazon.com voucher.

Terms and conditions apply.

*Terms and Conditions

The term 'PARTY KING' needs to be quoted before confirming your booking in order to receive the £20 Amazon.com voucher. We cannot provide the offer retrospectively to bookings where the term 'PARTY KING' was not quoted before confirming to book. Only valid for coach hire bookings travelling to a christmas party on or before 25th December 2013.

Napoli Team Coach

The Kings Ferry continue to be the operator of choice for top European football teams, providing the first team coach, kit van and executive coach for VIP’s for their Champions League trip to Emirates to face Arsenal on 1st October.

Arriving in London on 30th September Napoli transferred to hotel before moving onto Arsenal for a final training session and press conferences. Napoli ended up on the losing side, the game ending 2-0 to Arsenal before they boarded the coach and headed straight for the airport.

It's always a pleasure to work for sports teams and organisations of this calibre.

UPDATE: Closure extended by 1 week, now closed until Friday 21st March 2014.

Central London Road Closure

We have received notification from Transport for London that Fenchurch Street will now be closed until Friday 21st March 2014. This is to enable contractors to complete various utility connections to the new build development in Fenchurch Street.

All PM services will divert via Upper and Lower Thames Street from Monday 3rd February 2014.

For the duration of this diversion we will be unable to serve our regular PM bus stops located on Queen Victoria Street, Cannon Street, Eastcheap and Great Tower Street. We will instead be serving Puddle Dock (outside the Mermaid Conference & Events Centre) and Upper Thames Street (bus stop 47).

To ease the congestion at our Canary Wharf bus stop we will also be reintroducing our 16:35 725 service for the duration of the Fenchurch Street closure.

Please note this change impacts our PM services only.

As always we will keep you updated with any changes via the normal channels.

To celebrate the launch of the new website, we have lowered our autumn rates. So if you’re travelling before 31st October you can take advantage of great value for money coach hire for any occasion.

As usual you know The Kings Ferry provide the very best coach hire service, the youngest fleet of vehicles with unparalleled customer service support. Our office is open 24/7 so you know you can rely on us when you need to. We have over 45 years’ experience in providing top quality coach hire to all kinds of customers. So whether you are organising a large event or a private party The Kings Ferry is the only option.

To talk to one of our friendly reservations team please call 0845 257 9888, alternative you can obtain a quick quote online.

Come and visit us at the Square Meal Venues & Event Live... to see how our VIP Coach hire service can revolutionise your companies travel experience.

We will have VIP seating for you to sample set up in a mock-up of a rear lounge vehicle used in many corporate and high profile hires. Perfect for business and hospitality, our range of luxury coaches won't fail to impress. You are guaranteed a personalised service and a team of dedicated staff will ensure you receive the full VIP treatment.

The Kings Ferry have been appointed the supplier of coaches for players and DNC populations transfers, during the Danone Nations Cup at Wembley this September.

The Danone Nations Cup World Final, the world's biggest football tournament for children aged 10 to 12, will be held on September 7th at the mythical stadium of Wembley !

After impressing the organisers with their professionalism during the tender process, The Kings Ferry will be proving the quality coach hire that these budding football stars deserve. As The Kings Ferry already provide Luxury coach transport for top Premier League clubs to away games and training venues, it's only right that they should get used to it from an early age.

The Danone Nations Cup has been a growing success over the past few years and is sure to create a great atmosphere. If you haven't got tickets or missed out on the World Cup last time around, gather up your friends and family, hire a coach (from The Kings Ferry), head over to the Danone website to book your tickets, and cheer on your favourite Nation.

The Kings Ferry have been selected to provide coach transport to the Avon Presidents Club Dinner Events this year.

The 'President's Club' is made up of top selling repesentatives of the company, and the dinners are an annual event where the members are presented with awards for their acheivements over the past year in their roles.

The dinners are held at various venues from Penzance to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Kings Ferry will essentially be a shuttle service for these members to and from the dinners which are to be held on every week day in September.

Our VIP service have played host to US football team, the New York Cosmos this week, who originally came over to play a pre-season friendly with Watford on Saturday. Unfortunately, as can be the case with pre-season football fixtures, the game was brought forward to Friday. Then it changed again. And then … they ended up playing Gillingham and Leyton Orient!

We were also lucky enough to be responsible for transferring Granada, a Spanish La Liga team, from the airport, to a training session and then onwards to a game against Watford on Saturday. Granada were unlucky to lose 2-0 to Watford and, no doubt, were happy to be taken back to the airport by us to return to sunny Spain.

As many of you know, the Emirates Cup was held on 3rd and 4th August and we also had the pleasure of looking after both the Napoli and Galatasaray teams whilst they were in London for this prestigious pre-season competition.

It has been a pleasure for us to welcome these international teams to the UK and we were privileged to be a part of their stay here. We would also like to congratulate Galatasaray on being crowned champions of this year’s tournament.

North Somerset is getting a brand new coach commuter services offering thousands of car users a stress-free journey to work.

It has been announced that The Kings Ferry, part of the National Express Group, is to run two commuter services to business areas in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, after being awarded the contract by North Somerset Council.

The services are due to launch in the Autumn and will be funded by the Council for two years, with The Kings Ferry set to fund them for a further two.

The service will pick passengers up from Weston-Super-Mare and Portishead, running along two commuter corridors at morning and evening rush hours.

Currently 3,500 North Somerset commuters who travel in by car have few alternatives as there are no direct public transport services and limited rail options.

The Kings Ferry with 30 years experience of carrying commuters from Kent into the City of London, is to supply four luxury vehicles kitted out with reclining seats, air conditioning, drinks machines, TV screens and wireless internet.

All coaches are also equipped with real time tracking, allowing commuters to check the location of their service via web and mobile devices.

Last year The Kings Ferry saw a record rise in passenger numbers using its Kent to London service - taking the total number of passenger journeys to well over half a million a year - as commuters are swayed by competitive prices, guaranteed seats, and real-time vehicle tracking.

Travelling by coach is also the most environmentally friendly form of public transport - generating five times less Co2 per passenger than the average car journey.

The Kings Ferry Commercial Director Danny Elford said: "We are delighted to be involved in this exciting partnership with North Somerset Council. Every year we've seen more and more commuters switching to the coach because it's comfortable, great value and you're guaranteed a seat. What's more we communicate constantly with our customers, providing instant service information and traffic updates to ensure their journey to work is as relaxing as possible.

"We are certain this region has the fundamental elements needed for a successful service," he added.

“This is a tremendous cause and the New York trip is a major part of Jack’s legacy,” said Consul General Lopez. “We at the consulate are extremely proud to be associated withJack’s PACK.”

Two Essex Police officers run the half marathon.

J-A-C-K (Joining Against Cancer in Kids) was founded in 2008 by Metropolitan Police officers led by PC Mark Edwards, MBE. The charity raises funds for the treatment of children with neuroblastoma, which affects around a hundred children in the UK every year. For the last seven years, police officers from the Met, the Essex and Surrey police services and the British Transport Police have been travelling to New York to fundraise as “Jack’s PACK” (Police Against Cancer in Kids). In recent years, their efforts have been dedicated to the memory of Jack Brown, son of DI Yvonne Brown and DS Richard Brown.

At the reception on 20 May, DS Richard Brown spoke about the new joint venture J-A-C-K is entering into with US-based charity Solving Kids’ Cancer, which will improve access to clinical trials for children with neuroblastoma. He also thanked colleagues from British police services, the NYPD, and police from Ottawa for their efforts this year.

Metropolitan Police present the consulate with British treats to sell for charity on behalf of Jack's PACK.

As well as the run, the visiting police officers have been sharing best practices with their transatlantic colleagues in “ride-alongs” with the NYPD in the 1st Precinct. Superintendent Gary Buttercase thanked the NYPD team as well as partners from across the city and on both sides of the Atlantic including British Airways, jetBlue and the Kimberly Hotel.

On the 27th May Watford FC get their chance to return to the cream of English football after a six–year absence when they take on Crystal Palace at Wembley in the Championship Play-off Final.

The Hornets’ season looked to be over as semi-final opponents Leicester City were awarded a debatable penalty deep into stoppage-time in their second leg with the aggregate scores tied at 2-2. But Manuel Almunia saved Anthony Knockaert’s effort from 12 yards and just seconds later, Watford had booked their place in the ‘world’s richest game of football’ after grabbing the most dramatic of winners.

The Kings Ferry would like to take this opportunity to wish Millwall F.C. every luck on Saturday in their FA Cup semi-final. They narrowly beat Blackburn Rovers in the quarter final reply at Ewood Park and have avoided the likes of Chelsea and Man Utd. They now believe they have every chance making the Final.

The Kings Ferry will be providing the team and supporters transport to Wembley on Saturday for their 17:15 kick-off.

Millwall defender Shane Lowry is relishing the prospect of a trip to Wembley for their FA Cup semi-final against Premier League Wigan. The Lions have reached the semi-finals five times in their 128-year history, but have only progressed to the final itself once in 2004.

The Kings Ferry has been appointed as team transport provider for FC Basel tonight when they visit White Hart Lane for their Europa League clash against Tottenham . In addition to this we are also providing the transport for club officials and supporters.

Basel left themselves in the driving seat in the first-leg of their last-16 clash against Zenit St Petersburg after winning 2-0, meaning their 1-0 defeat in the return leg had little bearing on the aggregate score. The Swiss side are also top of their domestic league standings, setting up a potentially thrilling tie in north London.

Spurs have been in sensational form in the Premier League recently, with Saturday's 2-1 win over Swansea City taking them to third with only eight games remaining in the top-flight campaign.

Andre Villas-Boas' men did, however, show their frailties in Europe last time out, surrendering a 3-0 first-leg lead against Inter Milan, who forced extra-time leading 3-0 in the return fixture, Emmanuel Adebayor's late goal eventually put the London side through in extra time, with Ricardo Alvarez making it 4-4 on aggregate, Spurs' away goal was vital.

We are offering free refreshments when you book a VIP coach travelling in May or June. So all you need to do is sit back and relax and enjoy a glass of wine, safe in the knowledge that it isn’t costing you a penny.

All our VIP coaches are equipped with kitchen facilities and tables so you will have plenty of room to enjoy your drinks and toast your day out ahead.

We have 2 packages available, soft drinks and snacks or beer, wine and water....either of these will be included in your booking free of charge.*

Call one of our friendly reservations team today for a quick and easy quote. Alternatively you can submit an enquiry here.
For the refreshments offer please quote ‘DRINKS ON US’.

*Terms and conditions
Note this offer is only applicable for coach hire for travel dates scheduled between 1st May – 30th June inclusive. All vehicles are subject to availability. Please note this offer is ONLY valid on the customer’s first booking and ONLY applicable to new bookings made from Tuesday 2nd April onwards with travel dates falling within the set period only.

Visitors to The Kings Ferry’s stand at ExCel’s International Confex exhibition are invited to savour a VIP life by taking the company’s glamorous red carpet route into a world of luxury – luxury, in fact, that customers of the company have already sampled on private-hire routes throughout the UK.

Stand L650 reveals the company’s ability to present customers with nothing but the best: large LCD screens showing the latest videos can be enjoyed from the finest leather seats, with dining tables inside all TKF coaches capable of providing the ideal “social location” during comfortable, hassle-free trips.

Visitors to the stand will note TKF coaches’ impeccable livery – for clients as diverse as Samsung and Soccer Aid.

Don’t forget that - at 4pm on Wednesday 20 March - champagne and canapés will be offered by The Kings Ferry to all visitors wanting to check-out our coaches’ high-standard features. It goes without saying that everyone is welcome.

Visitors from Tuesday through Thursday 21 March will also be offered a sample of the TKF coaches’ seating arrangement outside the stand’s stationary coach.

So take a trip to TKF luxury, relax outside our coach - and step inside to see just how easy and enjoyable travel can be.

Or just a day trip somewhere a few hours from home? Or is it Easter bunnies and Easter egg hunts your group is after?

The Easter holidays are a popular time to travel in the UK or Europe and we've listed some great ideas for your Group's Easter break below. Whatever you're after The Kings Ferry has got it all covered this Easter. Looking for something different? No problem call us and we can help with your coach hire requirements regardless of the destination or occasion.

West End Shows
There's lots of Shows to choose from including Shrek the Musical, The Lion King, Chicago, Thriller Live, Mamma Mia, War Horse, Billy Elliot.

Nationwide

Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle near Newbury on 31st March.

Avenham ParkEgg Rolling event held in Preston Lancashire is an Easter Monday tradition.

Theme parks

We provide great savings on group trips to all major Theme Parks in the UK.

Cheltenham Festivalis the embodiment of everything that is great about Cheltenham. It is four days of atmosphere, anticipation and action, played out on a beautiful sporting arena that has no equal.

Europe
Why not visit Seville and Granada in Spain for the Semana Santa - hundreds of shuffling pointy-hooded penitents, torch lit processions up to the Easter weekend in gorgeous cities. The premium time is during the night/early morning of Thursday-Good Friday.
The Big Egg Hunt 2013will be Ireland?s biggest and most interactive public art display where 100 exquisite and uniquely crafted eggs designed by leading artists and celebrities will take over the streets of Dublin.

If you have some of your budget remaining for this current financial year then The Kings Ferry can help you spend it wisely before it gets eaten up, flushed down the loo or some other analogy along the lines of losing it.

Book and pay for your coach hire requirements with us before the end of March and use them at a later date*!

The Kings Ferry have been the coach operator of choice in the UK for over 40 years and are part of the National Express group so you know your money is in safe hands.

Customer service and safety standards have and always will be our priority - and you can read
our feedback from previous customers here:

http://www.thekingsferry.co.uk/about-us/testimonials-and-feedback/

Call one of our friendly account managers on;
0845 257 9895 to find out how we can help safeguard your budget.

Alternatively you can obtain a quick and easy quote by below.
http://www.thekingsferry.co.uk/quick-quote/

*Terms and conditions apply:
To participate in this promotion you must be agreeable to receiving an invoice to the value of the budget you have remaining. Payment will be expected in line with The Kings Ferry's normal terms of business. You will be able to procure coach hire services to the value of your invoice up to a maximum of 6 calendar months from the date of invoice. Any monies not used within this period will be forfeited after the 6 month period has expired. Written confirmation of this arrangement can be provided if required for your own records.

Even top Premiership footballers have to deal with the snow; they are not immune to the havoc that it brings. If there was ever an advert for the benefits of coach travel during times of adverse weather then this is definitely it.

As valued clients of The Kings Ferry VIP service, Fulham FC and Norwich City FC relax in the knowledge that we will look after them, as we do all our customers.

As their dedicated transport provider we take the first teams and staff to their away fixtures. For longer distances they often choose the airways, and their VIP vehicles are used for the transfers to and from the airports at either end.

With the UK experiencing a 'white-out' in the last few weeks the airports were hugely affected leaving many stranded or having to make other arrangements. Fulham and Norwich were no exception to this, thankfully The Kings Ferry were on hand.

Fulham FC's team coach had gone ahead to Manchester for their away trip to City, awaiting the player's arrival at Manchester Airport. When, because of the weather they realised they may not be able to fly from Farnborough, The Kings Ferry provided another coach to take them to Euston where they eventually caught the train. With the Team coach having to change its pick up point too.

Norwich City had a similar experience before and after their game away to Liverpool. Firstly they were forced to travel a day earlier than usual, on the Thursday night as there was no guarantee they would be able to fly out of Norwich Airport on the Friday. At 11am on the Thursday a decision was made to try and travel that night. The Team coach dispatched to meet them at 6pm at Liverpool Airport, but as there was no guarantee that they would actually fly we had to have a back-up coach at Norwich Airport. The flight was delayed and they eventually met up with the Team coach in Liverpool at 11pm. After the game, again no guarantee that Norwich Airport would be open, so the Team coach was kept in reserve to drive them back to Norwich. Should they have been able to take off from Liverpool and not land at Norwich the likely airport any if any diversion was required would have been Stansted and we planned for a coach to be there too. All that because a bit of the white stuff?

Naturally we delivered everything that was asked of us and at such short notice this was quite a lot. We are happy to go above and beyond for all our clients, and look forward to many happy years as Fulham and Norwich official coach travel partners.